“That lightsaber belongs to me!”: Star Wars the Gender Swap

A long sentence ago in a galaxy far far away the very words that began integrity of the arenas most recognized and well-established licenses. jumper cable Wars, a beloved serial publication that continues to rent an ever so growing fan bastardly. However, when one considers the fan base of the need series, it is easy to associate its image with that of a male plan. During the lord trilogy fans had Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader and Princess Leia.In the prequels there was Anakin, macebearer Windu, Count Dooku, Yoda, and Padame. Noticing a trend here? All of these dispositions to some degree fulfill the role of the prototypical male hero with a effeminate companion, which is something the audience is accustomed to coning, though naturally they are non all the same. Why is that? Perhaps that is the question viewers should ask themselves when watching anything from the champion Wars series.It is no strike that Star Wars is a series loved by many throughout the world, as it offers a good sense of science fiction and epic take on fantasy. However, it has been recognized to harbor a bit of a gender problem or suffer from what is cognise as the Smurfette Effect. Much like its counterparts in Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, which offers dual male-led roles, accompanied by one or cardinal other pistillate roles.In the original trilogy episodes four through six the three main characters that stuck out were recognized as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamil), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher). However, the role that stood out the most was that of Princess Leia, known as the leader of the rebel alliance, and iconic figure who had the courage and potential to dismantle the operations of those who sought to destroy everything she stood for.She make up was presented the opportunity to save such(prenominal)(prenominal) male roles and remained as the only em creatored effeminate character throughout all three original films. However, this was all viewed as a secondary musical theme as the roles played by work forcefulness were seen as the primary entity to the series, provided this still was seen as a major breakthrough for females in film. Around the time the series was released the role and idea for a strong female lead character to exist was revolutionist and had a major impact on the way viewers and directors looked at films and the way female roles were handled.This of feast would set the path for future films to be released. We would see this once again when the prequel films were released episodes one through 3 as characters such as Padme Amidalla, Keira Knightley, and other female Jedi roles came to light. Once again these characters were portrayed to be wo custody of power and viewed as a great importance to the public. However, once again these features were viewed as a second thought and taken behind the roles of men and their importance to the series.Making it no surp rise that the target demographic for the series was predominantly male-oriented. Despite this, Star Wars has an audience of female fans equal to those of their male counterparts and with such a grown number of female fans. You would think that the universe would have more populated with roles of woman shining beyond or sharing the roles of men. Sadly, this was not the case and women presented were often shown to fall short of world any reference of role model-like figure.It was seen as though if boys were to watch Star Wars films, they sight idolize or plays as Obi-Wan or Anakin, characters who were portrayed to be cunning, brave, and would face danger head on. Girls on the other hand, were they supposed to support being submissive, and in need of a hero like that of Leia and Padme? Was this the trend that all of the series films would fall dupe to? Women depending on men to shape and care for their futures? These types of questions remained unanswered for the longest time, unti l recent years when the Star Wars certification announced it would return to the big screen in 2015 under the name Star Wars The Force Awakens.However, this would not be a per usual Star Wars film dominated by white male men and their secondary female counterparts. No, this film sought to abolish all of the stale characteristics the series had become known for, and decided to give the series a twist no one could have seen coming. As the film itself was presented with the idea of having the franchises first female lead role, first female villain role, first African American lead, and include more minor female characters in unexpected areas.The film was also set to have a wide This sent the world into a complete frenzy as it had a flux reception from fans. slightly launch they loved and looked forward to the idea of a fresh take on the series and moving along with modern times. Fans could now be open to an entire new world, and see what could come from such a diverse cast of chara cters.Others however, took this as an insult, and saw the series falling run to the social justice warrior movements and being nothing more than mere propaganda that would harm the series. Causing multiple mens room Right Activists to call for boycotts of the film, and multiple online protests, as several stated it was an attack on the hold men had throughout the series. In weeks leading to the release of the film, trailers and images taken for the film were tagged with BoycottStarWarsVII and StarWarsaMensGalaxy.Despite the protests, and negative feedback from multiple activists and fans, the film generated $529 million its opening week. Stomping out the superstitions that this one film would ruin the image of Star Wars that was established. However, the biggest achievement this film had, was with its characters and their roles in the film as director JJ Abrams do it put one across that The Force Awakens was something that would change the Star Wars forever.Many speculated that, despite the latest additions to the franchise would still be dominated by men, and have minuscular hints of a woman being in power. However, when the film debuted many found the storys main character, Rey, a privy character with a hidden backstory, was not only cunning and well-rounded. She was truly freelance, did not rely on another character, find herself in the middle of a love scene, or eagerly waiting for a knight in shining armor to come save the day.The closest she comes to something of that sort, is her companion Finn, who also made a splash being the franchises first African American lead role. However, it comes across as two friends looking after one another, it could even be recognized as a bond rigorously forged by survival. However, this was not the only shocker of the film, as another twist to the plot of the story comes during the closing of the film. When Rey would even defeat, and overpower the films only white antagonist known as Kylo Ren in a lightsaber batt le.Some would say that it was one of the most horrific adjure scenes on a Star Wars film to date, but not if you take a closer look as the fight itself has a hidden meaning. Analyzing the fight scene, Kylo toys with Rey and does not face as a real opponent. Taunting her, and showing his superior strength to touch her to a weakened state but at the one point he offers her a knock to join him as an apprentice and teach her what she lacks as a Jedi.This can be seen as a moment of man beating down the thought of a woman taking on such a role. Demonstrating that a woman such as Rey is not meant to be so strong. That she is not meant to turn out as a warrior, or as someone who can stand their ground and can good fall prey to the words of a man who appears to be stronger and offers a way out a difficult situation.However, as Rey, struggles to hold off her opponent, she takes a moment to reflect on who she is, and why she is fighting. She thence becomes focused and forges a stronger bo nd between herself and the force which allows her to become more powerful than Kylo could have ever become in such a short time. Rey, who has never fought with a lightsaber, never used the force in anyway, or faced an evil as strong as Kylo Ren emerges victorious.Making an impression on the young man, and the audience that this female character is not one to be taken so lightly, that women can take on such a role, and be just as good of a Jedi warrior noteworthy of wielding a lightsaber in battle. This scene alone can be indicated as one of the most iconic, visually pleasing, and outspoken of all time, with the simple message it carries through its actions and depiction. Just one more thing for the world to fall in love with, and that it did.Following the success of the film came the monstrous demand for the toys, and video second figures that the public would be open to collect and enjoy. The new line of Star Wars figures and video games included to the highest degree every sing le cast member and their costumes, all except one major piece. Rey herself, was not found to be included in any of the merchandise produced by toy distributor Hasbro, except for one. whiz that was part of a Speeder Bundle, a pre-sale toy bundle before the film was released.However, this one toy absolutely robs Rey of any gender as she is fully masked and clothed. One would not even notice it was a female character in the form of a toy. This of course drove a massive callout from fans and gender activists, both raising the question as to why? Why was this important female character being left out when so many were calling for her to appear?The answer came from an internal report from Hasbro that stated toymakers were specifically directed to exclude Rey from their products because Star Wars toys were geared toward boys and boys dont like playing with female action figures. No boy wants to be given a product with a female character on it. Which brought both Hasbro and Disney to come forward and made a thin excuse saying their intentions were mistaken, as they did not wish to reveal or spoil anything for anyone who had not seen the movie.It was also found that both Disney and Hasbro invested intemperately in the white antagonist male character Kylo Ren as many executives expected his role to be the breakout role of the century. Returning old world views of woman not being able to have as strong of a hold in the entertainment industry as men and obstetrical delivery forth the question of whether or not this trend would continue with the later series of episodes the Star Wars franchise planned to release in years to come.Although the answer may not be fully known, it is clear that creators and directors under with the Star Wars brand are working toward undoing the damage set forth by past films for their portrayal of women. With the latest installments of Star Wars The Clone Wars Animated, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi all featuring more independent and empowere d female characters, the franchise is on the right path but still has a round road ahead till many see women equal to men.